Vapor Infused Gin

[The Booze Pipe]

I just stilled my first vapor infused gin using a gin head. The gin head is made of a two inch by 12 inch stainless pipe fitted with ferrules for tri-clamps, using fine screen gaskets to contain the botanicals.
The new setup worked out great and produced a fine gin! Onto recepie development

[still_stirrin]

... using fine mesh with silicone for gaskets...

tsk, tsk, tsk.....you better duck. There's inbound flack coming your way.

You know the rules....no excuses!
ss

[Danespirit]

+1 Ss

I'm a little shocked about all the novices that don't read the thread about materials and safety.
You can and should do better. Please don't put your (and others) safety at jeopardy.
I sincerly hope your still doesn't look anyway near one of those: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 33&t=43720

[The Booze Pipe]

From what I've read silicone is as good or the next best thing to PTFE. And the mesh is stainless. But you're right. I should have at least wrapped the silicone with PTFE tape.

[kimbodious]

Congratulations on a successful first run!

[rad14701]

From what I've read silicone is as good or the next best thing to PTFE.

You didn't read that here... The term "silicone" is somewhat generic... Many different compositions, catalysts, temperature ratings, chemical tolerances, etc... That's why we frown on the use of silicone across the board, because it's too difficult to know what you really have...

[The Booze Pipe]

I'm currently searching for replacement PTFE tri-clamp gaskets with a fine stainless mesh. I don't see any on McMaster-carr...

[still_stirrin]

I'm currently searching for replacement PTFE tri-clamp gaskets with a fine stainless mesh. I don't see any on McMaster-carr...

Here you go....http://www.austenitex.com/test2/Teflon- ... een-Gasket" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
ss

[Danespirit]

From what I've read silicone is as good or the next best thing to PTFE. And the mesh is stainless. But you're right. I should have at least wrapped the silicone with PTFE tape.

As Rad wrote, there are many sorts of Silicone....besides wrapping it with PTFE tape won't quite cut it..
At some point, somewhere, somehow..it will have a hole in it and your product will be exposed to the Silicone (which you don't know the chemical composition of) and it will leach into your spirits...!
The stainless is fine, but please refrain from using that Silicone stuff.
You can easily fabricate sort of a Carter head that will hold your botanicals...a tri clamp spool tube can be modified.
Don't take shortcuts regarding the safety or you will be no better than the rednecks with galvanized buckets and JB weld.

Edit: Have a look at the botanical basket Kimbodious has made for his still, it's an excellent way to do it: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 8#p7456229

[kimbodious]

Too kind DS! I have just made 4 more baskets using nasty spikey #30 stainless steel mesh. All I need now is to build up greater stocks of neutral spirit so that I can start experimenting with the offset gin head!

[Bushman]

Now that you've been informed we have a saying Without pictures it didn't happen let's see pictures of this gin basket!

[kimbodious]

Now that you've been informed we have a saying Without pictures it didn't happen let's see pictures of this gin basket!

ye of little faith, all shall be revealed. Four teeny infusion baskets, roughly 24cm long by about 4.5cm diameter. It is hard to get a clear photo of the #30 mesh (30 apertures per linear inch) particularly in this light.